Zihuatanejo, Mexico Sailfest, March 2026
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Sailing down the coast of Mexico has been an adventure. The weather has been nearly perfect, warm sunny days tempered by refreshing water temperatures. We have now traveled the entire Gold Coast of Mexico, from Puerto Vallarta south to Zihuatanejo, passing dramatic cliffs, golden beaches, sleepy fishing villages, and bustling seaside towns along the way.
The wind along this stretch of coast rarely seems willing to cooperate, so much of the journey has been spent motor sailing over gentle swells and glassy seas. Still, there is something magical about watching the coastline slowly unfold from the deck, pelicans skimming the water, dolphins appearing unexpectedly at the bow, and fiery sunsets melting into the Pacific each evening.
Arriving in Zihuatanejo felt like reaching a true cruising destination. The anchorage was alive with boats from all over the world, their flags fluttering in the breeze. We finally felt as though we had fully stepped into the cruising lifestyle we had imagined for so long.
Once a quiet fishing village, Zihuatanejo still holds onto much of its authentic charm despite its growing popularity. Colorful fishing pangas line the beach, local fishermen deliver the day’s catch right to the waterfront restaurants, and music drifts through the warm evening air from the cafés and plazas along the malecón. It is easy to understand why so many sailors linger here longer than planned.
Dave decided to move into a hotel room for the remainder of his stay, which gave everyone more space and flexibility. Jim and I were able to settle back into our routines aboard the boat with the children and enjoy some quiet family time. Hosting guests on a boat is always a unique experience and while Jim kept everyone entertained and enjoying the adventure, I found myself busy with much of the cooking, cleaning, and day-to-day care of the children. Like many parts of cruising life, it was rewarding at times, but it also came with its challenges.
Each morning began with the cruiser radio net on the Single Side Band (SSB) the heartbeat of the anchorage and the cruising community’s way of staying connected. It was where people shared weather updates, asked questions, traded information, organized activities, and checked in with one another. Before long, the cruising children decided they needed a net of their own and promptly started one immediately following the adults. Watching them take ownership of it was incredible. Their confidence and communication skills grew almost daily, and the learning curve was amazing to witness.
After finishing their schoolwork each day, the children would decide on the afternoon’s adventures. One child might suggest a beach known for great snorkeling, while another would lobby for the beach and volleyball. Sometimes the vote was for a trip into town to cool off in the swimming pool at Hotel Irma. More often than not, the children completely dictated the parents' afternoon plans, and none of us seemed to mind.
Terra from s/v Royal Treat, Emma and Juli form s/v Capaz at the Hotel Irma
The back of s/v Blue Sky, the children used the surfboard platform as a diving board.
Nico, s/v Ohana, Kappy s/v Rocket, Phoebe, Seneca s/v Rocket, Marina s/v Ohana, Sally s/v Rocket, Zach and Jake s/v Capaz.
This was how we met so many wonderful cruising families. Friendships formed quickly among both the children and adults, tied together by the unique rhythm of life afloat.
The photo above left shows Betsy from s/v Ocean Eyes, Terri from m/v Willawa, Terra from s/v Royal Treat, Pam from s/v Ohana and Emma. What began as a simple book and movie exchange organized by the children quickly evolved into a huge potluck dinner aboard m/v Willawa. One of those spontaneous evenings that perfectly captures cruising life. The final photo is another shot of the kids gathered together on the top deck of m/v Willawa, enjoying the freedom, friendships, and adventures that seemed endless in Z-Town.
While we were there, Zihuatanejo was also hosting the annual Z-Fest, Por Los Niños Sailfest is a vibrant two-week festival every February, blending recreation, volunteerism, and global community involvement. Whether you prefer sea or land, there are diverse events happening both on shore and offshore, all dedicated to raising funds for educational programs benefiting children in underserved areas of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The harbor buzzed with energy, and for a few days the anchorage felt like one giant floating neighborhood celebration.
Jim's high school buddy, Adam Weiss, found himself with a little unexpected time off and decided to escape the cold by catching a flight out of JFK to meet us in Z-Town. As luck would have it, the very next day in the northeastern United States was slammed by a massive snowstorm.
As you can see from the photos, Adam was absolutely devastated to have missed the storm.
Taking him to Playa Las Gatas and the Pretil structure to snorkel. The beach itself has a rich history. A local legend tells that the name “Las Gatas” (The Cats) came from the presence of tiger sharks in the area. According to the story, Emperor Tlatoani Caltzontzin, a ruler of the Tarascan Empire, visited the beach, was captivated by its beauty, and ordered the construction of a breakwater to protect swimmers from the sharks. This breakwater is believed to be the origin of the “Pretil” structure.
Beyond local lore, the waters around Playa Las Gatas have a deeper maritime history. The region was part of the transpacific Manila Galleon trade route in the 17th and 18th centuries, making it a strategic point for piracy. In 1742, the English pirate George Anson sank three galleons, Nuestra Señora del Monte Carmelo, Nuestra Señora del Carmen, and El Aranzazú in the bay. An anchor from one of these ships has been found in the coral reef area, linking the Pretil to this historical event (INAH.)
One day we caught the bus from Zihuatanejo to Ixtapa to meet up with the crew of s/v Ohana, who had moved into the marina while they took a short land trip. What started as a simple day at the pool turned into one of those unexpectedly perfect cruising days that you remember forever.
In the pool, the girls convinced Jim to join their acrobatic routine. At the bottom of the human tower, with Marina in the middle and Phoebe balancing proudly on top. I paid for it the next day with some very sore muscles, but it was completely worth it. It was one of those days with no real agenda or expectations that somehow became one of the highlights of the trip. Cruising has a funny way of reminding you that the best memories are often the unplanned ones.
Lounging by the pool a local conservation group waved us down to the beach. They work hard along this stretch of the Mexican coast to protect endangered sea turtles, and during nesting season tiny hatchlings are often released at sunset into the Pacific Ocean. Each of us named a green turtle before setting it free. A pretty incredible homeschooling day for the kids.
On the left is Phoebe with her turtle, Drake, Marina, her father Denise and Phoebe get ready to release the hatchlings to scramble toward the surf for their first journey into the open ocean. The evening ended with dancing, and after a full day we caught a cab back to Zihuatanejo. Pam in her birthday hat, Jim and Denise.
Phoebe has also been learning how to handle the dinghy in calm conditions and is becoming surprisingly confident behind the tiller.
Our time had come to start heading back to Puerto Vallarta. Emma's cousin Martin was flying into Manzanillo to join us for a couple weeks. Stopping in Tenacatita so he could experience the famous “jungle cruise.”
From there, we headed across the bay to a small beachfront resort called The Tamarindo. Apprehensive at first if we could go ashore, Martin and Jim tested the waters, to see if we were allowed to use the pool and have a meal. s/v Rocket and s/v Sensei were anchored in the bay with us. Little did the luxury hotel guest know what would hit them.
Perfect combination of relaxed cruising life and tropical luxury: children running barefoot on the beach while the parents enjoyed cold drinks, laughter, and sunsets.
The next day’s homeschooling lesson turned into a tropical botany class as we wandered through the resort grounds. Nearly every plant had a sign listing its common name, species, and country of origin. It was one of those reminders that cruising education often happens far beyond books and worksheets.
Jim also managed to completely blow the cruising budget by sneaking in a round of golf and honestly, it was worth every penny. The course was spectacular, winding through jungle and ocean views, and the caddy joined in for parts of the round, which somehow made the experience even better than I had imagined.
